The Birthday

Blake and I both took off work on Thursday to spend the entire day with Jackson (and so sleep in!). We had an appointment for one year pictures at 10:30. I was a little concerned as to if it was going to be a successful photo shoot, but after our family picture, Jackson warmed up a bit, and shared a few smiles with the camera. We then headed to Starbucks...for me. I mean, I did give birth one year ago, right? We headed to the bakery to pick up Jackson's cake(s), and much to our surprise, our order had been filed away with the cake orders...for March 8. So, we had to wait around downtown for 1.5 hours while they decorated our cakes. Since it was around lunch time, we decided to get something to eat, and to ease our frustration a bit...we went to Las Magaritas. I remember now while we eat at El Matador (El Soddy). We then stopped and picked up a few more items for the party and headed home, just to hang out and spend time together.

Jackson's party started at 6:00, and our house was filled with our (huge) family and a couple of friends. Ben Coffman also came to celebrate at his first American birthday party. As a gift, he brought Jackson baby chopsticks. They are too cute. On the menu, were pizza (Hot and Ready), chips, dip, salad, and soft drinks. For dessert, we had chocolate cake with buttercream frosting, and cookies and cream filling. His cake was designed to match one of my favorite baby shower cakes. We somehow squeezed about 40 people in our little house. We had a blast and so are thankful that Jackson has so many people that love him.

FYI: If you want to book a party at the Creative Discovery Museum in the winter months, call 3-4 months in advance.

Happy Birthday, Baby Jack

February 26, at 12:01 p.m., we welcomed Baby Jack into our family. Blake and I both agree, that it was the best day of our lives. He has brought so much happiness, love, and joy into the walls of our home. We have savored every second of his infancy, and are enjoying watching him explore his little world, and become a little toddler. His precious smile and sweet disposition are daily reminders of God's grace and love. We are so, so overwhelmed with love for this little boy that the Lord has trusted us with, and pray that God will give us wisdom and grace to raise Jackson to serve Him. We love you, Jackson. Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

Play Time

Today, after we left the airport, we stopped at Target to pick up a couple of things. I used to work at a day care, and I remembered that we used to blow bubbles and the babies would have the best time....I went to the "bubble aisle." I had the most difficult time finding bubbles and a single wand. There were bubble machines, colored bubbles, scented bubbles, and wands of every shape and size. I never was able to locate the 89 cent item I was looking for, but settled for blue, bubble gum bubbles, with the simple wand. My Jack loved them. I almost slipped and busted my bottom on the slick floor when we finished playing.

Today

Today, we didn't go to church. But, we saw a miracle. Scott, Robin, and Ben are all home safely. Congratulations! We love you guys.

The New Normal

We made it. I successfully completed my first week. This is kind of what it looks like:

5:00 AM - Alarm sounds and Blake hits the snooze / or baby cries in which case, I am up.

5:20 AM - Baby feeding complete, get in the shower.

6:00 AM - Dressed and ready for the day

6:15 AM - Devotion and breakfast

6:30-7:00- Laundry/House pick up

7:00-7:30 - Prepare Jackson for his respective caretaker

7:45-3:30 - Teach an awesome group of kids. I work diligently through lunch and use planning time very wisely.

3:45 PM - Arrive home, feed baby

4:00-7:00 - Play with Jackson while Blake cooks dinner and anything else I have asked him to do. (In the helpful non-whipped sort of way)

7:00-7:30 - Blake gives Jackson a bath, I get ME time

8:00 PM - Jackson is fed and asleep. I complete needed prep for the next day.

8:30-10:00 - Blake and me time

10:00 PM - CRASH!!!

3 :00 AM - Jackson wakes up.

Repeat, rinse, repeat

**Next week's goal: trying to find 3 times I can go to the Sports Barn to work out. I now open the floor to suggestions.

PS Blake bought me the flowers above on my first day back. A dozen roses and two dozen lillies. He's so thoughtful. I love him!!

This is the Day

We went to Chuck E. Cheese's with Amy and Emma today. Emma wanted to love on Jackson. He wasn't so receptive today.

Jackson's "Hallelujah."

I'm reaching my hand to Yours

Believing there's so much more

Knowing that all You have in store for me is good

Is good

Today is the day

You have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

Today is the day

You have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow

I'm trusting in what You say

Today is the day

I'm putting my fears aside

I'm leaving my doubts behind

I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus
I'm reaching my hands to Yours

Believing there's so much more

Knowing that all You have in store for me is good

I will stand upon Your truth.

And all my days I'll live for You

Today is the day

You have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

Today is the day

You have made I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won`t worry about tomorrow

I`m giving you my fears and sorrows

Where you lead me I will follow

I'm trusting in what you say

Today is the day

After taking one year off of work to care for my son, I am returning to work tomorrow. I am actually going to be filling in as a substitute teacher for Robin (see Camp Coffman link...he is so cute!!). Her class is really great, and I have taught many of the students before, which is also very exciting. They are fourth graders now, and the last time I taught them, most of them were just seven years old, so that will be really neat.

To be completely transparent, I am also really sad about not being at home with Jackson. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful that I was able to stay home with him this whole first year, but I am having a hard time. I am nervous about balancing everything...I have never been a wife, mom, and worked a full time job before. The "new normal" and unknown can be a little scary. So, say a prayer for me tomorrow. I heard this song today and I was gently reminded that God knows my fears, I don't have to worry, and I can rejoice knowing that the plans he has for me, Blake, and Jackson are good.

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

Happy Valentine's Day

I want to be his Valentine forever!

Blake and I normally don't do anything special for Valentine's Day, but since we celebrated my brother's birthday on Friday night, we had an afternoon "on the town." We dropped Jackson off at Blake's parents' house, and headed to eat at J. Alexander's. Blake and I have deemed J's as "our restaurant." We really like to go there to celebrate. The food is incredible and the service is awesome. We had the Spinach Cheese Dip and Chips for an appetizer. I had the Country Club Sandwich with a salad, and Blake had shrimp. We then did a little shopping after lunch. I needed to pick up a few essentials for my professional wardrobe, and Blake needed some new tennis shoes. We picked up Jackson a stuffed animal, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." It is so cute! We had such a fun time on our date. I love my two Valentines.

On a side note, two of our friends are adopting babies this week. Please keep them in your prayers. Robin and Scott are in flight as we speak to meet 6 month old Ben in Taiwan Wednesday morning. David and Candice are flying to India tomorrow morning to meet their son Micah. I have never known anyone who has adopted a child before, and I have been very fascinated with the entire process. It is been awesome to watch the Lord move in situations across the world. God is good!

Happy Birthday, Little Brother

Tonight, we celebrated my brother's birthday. He is actually a Valentine baby, but he likes to spend Valentine's Day with his fiance now that he is all grown up. So, my mom cooked his birthday dinner tonight. We had a southern meal, with all the works....fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, peas, corn, biscuits, and gravy. My mom makes the best fried chicken. We also had cake and ice cream. He has recently took up karate as a hobby, and got some gear for that, as well as some cash. We got him a huge card that played Star Wars music, which was so loud that I believe there was a sub-woofer speaker implanted in the card. I couldn't resist ordering him a Ninja Turtle cake! He (We) spent countless hours of his childhood playing with Donatello, Rafael, Leonardo, and Michelangelo. Am I an awesome big sister since I can name all of the turtles, and their weapons?

Uh Oh!

Jackson picks up the phone now, and says, "Heyyo."

And our other new word is...Uh Oh.

We have been finding ourselves in more and more "uh oh" situations.

Funny story: Tonight we went out to eat at Steve's Landing. Blake ordered a baked potato loaded with sour cream and butter. While we we not watching, he grabbed a handful of sour cream and ate it. He then did a full body shiver and threw up the sour cream. Going out to eat is an adventure now. I love it!